Just saw the Staten Island Ferry going up the East River? Did they move Staten Island???
— Zach Lockett (@ZacharyLockett) July 13, 2013

The answer to what the Staten Island Ferry was doing on the East River this afternoon is the same this year as it has been in past years. According to SI Live:

It was a boatload of fun for more than three thousand special needs people of all ages during the 39th annual "Boat Ride for God's Exceptional Children," which embarked on a fun-filled New York Harbor trip on Saturday.

Sponsored in part by the Marine and Aviation Club, Branch 119, the harbor tour aboard the Samuel I. Newhouse Ferry included music from three disc jockey's entertaining on three separate decks. Children, adults and volunteers enjoyed music and a water salute from an FDNY fire boat....

... The movies start at 8:45 pm at Southpoint Park, but residents and visitors are encouraged to come at 6:00 pm for music, movie trivia, and refreshments that will be on sale. The park is ADA accessible and the Red Bus will stop at the nearby bus stop every 15 minutes. As always, admission is free, so bring a blanket or a chair and enjoy the show!...

I am a researcher at The Rockefeller University and currently we have a project about cockroaches in NY. We would love to have some specimens, dead, squeezed, doesn't matter, as we will analyze them genetically. Everybody is welcome to participate in this scientific project by handing over specimens.

The Roosevelt Island roach population would be interesting in particular, as they may, as an island population, show some kind of genetic inbreeding. People can also just ask their cleaning staff, they often know how to find the roaches. Contributors will also be announced on this webpage:

Just put the dead cockroaches in an normal envelope and send to the following address:
Mark Stoeckle
Program for the Human Environment
The Rockefeller University
1230 York Avenue
New York, NY 10065

We mostly know cockroaches as pests. But the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, is one of the most successful species that have ever lived. Originating during the carboniferous period over 350 million years ago – even before the dinosaurs walked on earth – these bugs have continually adapted to a variety of environmental conditions. Very recently (relative to geologic time scales), the American cockroach has spread from it’s native continent of Africa, hitching a ride on ships traveling all over the world, and is now very commonly found in nearly all major cities.

Because of this expansive natural history and wide-ranging habitat, the American cockroach can be a wealth of information when it comes to genetic diversity. Through DNA Barcoding, which is a genetic technique used to identify a specific species, researchers at The Rockefeller University hope to answer questions about the American cockroach, and unlock secrets of natural selection and evolution. But your help is needed!

High school student researcher eagerly seeks cockroach specimens

In collaboration with the Kronauer Laboratory for Insect Social Evolution and the Program for the Human Environment, a high school student is eagerly seeking (dead) cockroach specimens from any location in or around NYC and from other US cities. We are particularly interested in the large “waterbug” officially known as American cockroach (Periplaneta americana). Specimens will be analyzed by DNA barcoding to look for genetic variation including possible cryptic species....

Please be advised due to the threat of rain and thunderstorms this evening, tonight's scheduled outdoor movie, The Breakfast Club, has been canceled and rescheduled for Saturday, July 20th (8:45 PM) at Southpoint Park.

State Senator José M. Serrano and Project Renewal Scan Van Program will be on Roosevelt Island SATURDAY, where FREE mammogram screenings will be available for women 40 years of age and older who have not had a mammogram in the past year.

The Roosevelt Island Community is encouraged to attend a public hearing hosted by the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation concerning the transfer of land and building to the City of New York, located on the campus of the Goldwater Speciality Hospital & Nursing Facility.

... more than 300 patients will be relocated to new facility at North General Hospital in East Harlem at the end of October 2013 and other patients will be transferred to Coler campus on Roosevelt Island at the same time. There will also be 175 mobility impaired affordable apartments for Coler Hospital patients in a new facility being built on 99th street across from Metropolitan Hospital scheduled to open in the spring/summer of 2015....

UPDATE 10 PM - Here's what happened at tonight's NYC HHC Public Hearing on the transfer of Goldwater Hospital land for the new Cornell NYC Tech campus. Goldwater Hospital residents and supporters testified about their fears and concerns at the closing of the hospital. Needless to say that Mayor Bloomberg was not very popular among the Goldwater patients and workers.

... Mr. Dickey, 35, is the manager of Pilotage Fun and Hobby, a Manhattan shop that sells remote-control versions of nearly everything.

Mr. Dickey’s enthusiasm is infectious. But when the shop opened in March 2012, it wasn’t immediately clear how warm a reception his products, more commonly associated with a previous generation’s suburban Saturday mornings on long driveways and deserted athletic fields, would find in Midtown.

“We’re adapted to the city,” Mr. Dickey, a Roosevelt Island resident, said. Hence the store’s focus on helicopters, which make the most of the limited footage (square and cubic) of city apartments. Planes, too, can be flown indoors. Mr. Dickey recommends lighter, highly maneuverable throw-launched craft that are gentle on walls and loved ones....

I was walking thru the Rivewalk Commons last Sunday evening when I spotted Mr. Dickey with several friends piloting his remote control plane circling Roosevelt Island near the Queensboro Bridge, Big Allis and over the East River before it came in for a landing.Take a look.

Anybody want to buy the former Riverwalk Sales Office now being used as the Roosevelt Island tram Office? Apparently, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) is selling it through an online auction. From the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse:

The trailer is 7 years old and was retrofitted multiple times for multiple users, located at 450 Main Street On Roosevelt Island 10044. It’s current use has a front desk, a conference room, a bathroom, kitchen and multiple offices. It is a triple-wide trailer and would require disassembling into its three components in order to move it off-site....

More information available at Gov Deals. The minimum bid is $11 Thousand. So far, the highest bid is $10,500.

1. Keep front doors, patio doors and windows locked. If you have a patio, Burglar-proof your glass patio doors by setting a pipe or metal bar in the middle bottom track of the door slide. The pipe should be the same length as the track.

2. Have your key ready before you approach your apartment door. Don't leave extra keys under doormats, potted plants or any other obvious outdoor location. Burglars will generally find them. Find an inconspicuous place to hide the keys, or give a set to a neighbor you can trust

3. Store cash, jewelry and other valuables in a safe or safety deposit box instead of leaving them lying around the home.

4. Do not leave notes on the door for service people or family members when you are not there. These alert the burglar that you are not home.

5. Be sure to use a dead bolt lock on your doors.

6. Look through your door peep hole before answering the door.

7. Use the door chain when answering and before opening the door.

8. Be sure your apartment door is dead bolt locked before retiring for the night or leaving your apartment.

9. Do not open the door for strangers until you have established their identity and purpose.

10. If you cannot establish their identity, call the PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT at (212) 832- 4545. We are open 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

11. Report any suspicious persons loitering or soliciting to the PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT.

12. Be aware of your surroundings.

13. Lock your door immediately upon entering your apartment.

14. Be sure the entrance outside your apartment door is well lit.

15. If you feel unsafe during late hours, call the PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT and we will walk you to your residence.

LET’S KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE!
John B. McManus, Director

Earlier today, I asked Director McManus:

Can you provide additional information regarding the burglaries reported at 10 and 30 River Road yesterday. Are they related?

We are investigating the possibility that these burglaries are related. We are working side by side with our partners from the 114th precinct to address these incidents. A part of that effort is crime prevention, which would include getting the type of information contained in the accompanying flyer...

PS/IS 217, a PreK-Grade 8 District 2 NYCDOE public school located on Roosevelt Island, is seeking two elementary gifted and talented teachers for the 13-14 school year. Candidates must have common branch certification AND the gifted and talented extension/certification to be considered. Please email with a cover letter and resume.

Roosevelt Island Day Nursery at Riverwalk Crossing is currently seeking part time and substitute teachers.

Part time and substitute teachers needed to work with children from age three months to three and a half years old. Seeking teachers who can work 4-6pm Monday through Friday or 8-10am Monday-Friday....

The New York Foundling (the "Foundling") is one of the oldest, largest and most well-respected human services agencies in New York. Established as a home for abandoned children, the Foundling has been saving children, preserving families, and building communities since 1869. The Foundling's focus is on child welfare and the developmentally disabled and is dedicated to creating a community where each child, youth and adult enjoys the safe, stable and support relationships needed to reach his or her full physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual potential. We have over 1300 employees located in every borough of New York City, Westchester and Rockland Counties and in Puerto Rico.

We are currently looking to hire Disability Specialists and Residence Managers in our residential programs for developmentally-disabled adults in the Bronx, Roosevelt Island and Staten Island. Responsibilities will include:...

The larceny was the theft of four(4) tires from a vehicle - no injuries, no weapons, and no arrest yet and in the criminal mischief incident unknown person(s) put several scratches on a vehicle. Again, no injuries, no weapons, and, as of this hour, no arrest.

On July 6, I followed up with Mr. McManus on another incident at the Motorgate Garage:

There was another larceny incident reported at Motorgate (688 Main Street) on July 3. This time it was a "Grand Larceny".

What happened at the July 3 incident? Is it related to the 7/1 incidents?

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Welcome to the Roosevelt Islander Online!

Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.

The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.